Products at the NAPT trade show

Here are details on some of the new offerings from industry suppliers that were on view and announced during the two-day show in Memphis, Tenn. They include wheelchair lifts, a bus air-conditioning line and an integrated vehicle tracking and routing system.

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Bus a/c line offers numerous optionsSpheros presented its complete bus air-conditioning product line. The Arcticsphere portfolio offers split component systems with either in-wall or ceiling-mounted evaporators and skirt-mounted condensers in various sizes. Company officials said that all split components in the Arcticsphere line use very long-life motors and are built with durable-yet-lightweight materials.

The company also unveiled two rooftop systems. The compact CC 145, with cooling capacity of 42,000 BTU/hour, is ideal for Type A school buses or buses in temperate climate zones. The larger CC 335/355 rooftop unit, with cooling capacity of 120,000/136,500 BTU/hour, is designed for humid, subtropical and desert climates. Spheros North America Inc.

Cummins 2013 lineup features diesel and natural gas enginesCummins Inc. announced its complete product lineup for the school bus market at the trade show, and officials said these engines meet the 2014 U.S. EPA greenhouse gas and fuel-efficiency standards. For 2013, Cummins will offer the school bus market two diesel-powered engines — the ISB6.7 and ISL9.

The ISB6.7 is driven by the High Pressure Common Rail fuel system, VGT turbocharger and fully integrated electronic controls. The 2013 ISL9 features the XPI fuel system to maximize fuel economy and performance while decreasing exhaust emissions to near-zero levels. The ISB6.7 has ratings of 200 hp to 300 hp (149-224 kW), and the ISL9 has ratings of 260 hp to 370 hp (194-276 kW).

The 2013 Cummins Westport ISL G natural gas engine will remain in the Cummins product portfolio for the school bus market. The spark-ignited ISL G, which shares 80% of common components with its diesel counterpart, the ISL9, delivers low-end torque, transient response and quiet operation, according to the company. Cummins Inc.

Tablet targets fleet inspection, efficiencyZonar unveiled its 2020 telematics tablet, saying that it is the first portable device to provide electronic inspection, hours-of-service, instant driver feedback, fuel efficiency, two-way messaging and advanced navigation in an open platform that allows fleets to integrate other systems and customize its use.

Unique to the 2020 is the ability to ensure inspection compliance and streamline repairs with the EVIR system. Drivers use the 2020’s built-in RFID reader to scan tags placed at each inspection point.

Drivers identify component conditions using the onscreen QWERTY keyboard and can send pictures of defects with the completed report. All inspection information is available to fleet and maintenance managers through Zonar’s web-based Ground Traffic Control application.

Available through 2020 and new to Ground Traffic Control, ZLogs is an hours-of-service application that works to ensure that drivers are operating within the limits of safety. Zonar

Evaporator is durable, efficientOn view at Thermo King’s booth was the BE-550 bulkhead evaporator. Officials said the unit is ideal for flush-mount front or rear bulkhead areas, and it has been designed to deliver superior capacity and durability while performing as efficiently as possible.

Features of the BE-550 include three speed blowers for optimal pull-down and passenger comfort, an easily accessible return air filter and blowers for efficient maintenance, and aluminum construction for corrosion resistance. The unit also has left- or right-side connections, and it is compatible with skirt-mounted or rooftop condensers. Thermo King

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